Thankful to have met this man

I haven't posted in a while because it doesn't seem like it's that interesting for people to read about.  But I guess I'll go ahead and share the latest news for those that are curious about my condition.

I never did get the ct scan the doctor had ordered.  Instead they just scheduled the dilation and I had that done on May 9th.    It's nice to be able to breathe pretty good again.

It's just sad knowing it won't last.

I have two doctors (surgeons) who work as a team when I go in for the procedure.  One of them is moving away.   I had my last checkup with him this past Thursday.  I will most certainly miss Dr. Diaz.

He is a kind and easy to like person.  He takes the time to answer all my questions and explains to where anyone can understand.

He said he recommends I continue with the dilations and not consider the major resection surgery at this time.  He thinks I can get by with having it done about every six months.   He said I shouldn't have the laser anymore.  The first two times of laser didn't help enough to make it worth the chance of building up more scar tissue.

He would like me to see a pulmonologist to rule out any other possible breathing issues that could be partly to blame for my problem with breathing.  It will probably be a couple months before they can fit me in.  I will try not to think about it until they call.  Too many things to worry about without adding that.

I'm continuing to walk 30 minutes each day and keeping up with my daily routine pretty well at this point.  I hope it will last longer this time but don't really have my hopes up that it will.

Until next time... I wish you all good breathing!

Hurry Up And Wait....

Feeling exhausted and it's not fun.  I have so many things I'd like to be doing and some things I need to be doing (like house cleaning).

The coughing and breathing problems are getting worse.  I make myself do the basic house chores and walk for 30-40 minutes a day on the treadmill.  Other than that I'm getting pretty lazy.  I'm very grateful for my Kindle and all the books Sarah puts on it for me.  I spend lots of time reading. 

Yesterday I went to see one of my surgeons.  I'm very thankful that I have doctors who will take the time to listen to my concerns and explain things in detail.

He said the resection surgery is not out of the question, just that it is risky and it would probably be better to just do the dilations awhile longer and see how it goes.  He said its really up to me.  We can continue these dilations indefinitely. 

If I could last a little longer between the procedures that sure would be nice. First one lasted about 10 months, second one seven months and this last one five months.

He said he'll schedule it for 2-3 weeks from now.  First they have to get the insurance approval, then set up ct scan and pre-op appointments.   Not happy to have to use time off for all these appointments but thankful that I have paid time off.

So now it's time to wait...and wait.  

I'm guessing most of you don't even think about your breathing.  It's just automatic so why think about it?  I spend lots of time just thinking about it and wondering how long before I can't make it up a flight of stairs.  Any amount of smoke makes it almost impossible to breathe.  Anything aerosol is also hard on me.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before on here or not but I'm not a smoker and never have been.  Yet when some people hear me they probably think I'm a chain smoker.

Until my next procedure I'll be taking it easy and waiting for the phone to ring.

Insurance Delay

I was supposed to go back in for a checkup with the surgeon yesterday but he also wanted to do a ct scan and the insurance company wouldn't approve it.  Thankfully the nurse called to let me know before we drove all the way there and then not be able to find out anything.  She said the doctor will phone the doctor in charge at the insurance company and see if he can get this approved.  They will let me know.  Thankfully I'm not having any trouble breathing at this time. I'm still walking 30 minutes a day on the treadmill and able to keep up with all my daily chores.

 

That's all I have to report at this time. 

Take a deep breath and enjoy your day!

 

 

Trying not to cough is not easy.

I have a three day class that I started today that I am attending for work.  Sixty some people and I'm the only one coughing.  I'm sure they all think I'm sick with something contagious.  I really have tried to keep it under control.  I keep a water and cough drops or hard candies at my finger tips.  Today wasn't too bad... just hope I can make it two more days without making a scene.

Over the weekend I went grocery shopping and came home with a trunk FULL of stuff.  There was nobody home to carry it all in for me.  I made several slow trips in and only got slightly out of breath.  I left the cases of water for someone else to get later.  I really do appreciate my family and all they do for me.  It's easy enough for me to just ask one of them to do things that might make me get out of breath.  Like carrying things in or going upstairs/downstairs to get things as needed.

I'm hoping my breathing will stay stable since the wedding planning is seriously getting underway for my daughter.  This weekend we're going to the Lucky In Love Wedding Show at The Ameristar Casino.

Wishing you easy breathing...

It's Been Awhile....

Sorry, it's been awhile since I last blogged but thankfully that's because my breathing is going ok - at least for now.  That's subject to change and over time I'm sure it will.  But for now I try not to think about my tracheal stenosis and just enjoy life as it comes.

 

Is anyone else sick of winter?  It's been terrible here in Illinois.  I cannot wait for spring, to enjoy  days sitting out under the tree just reading a good book and going racing with my family.

 

I recently purchased a new vaporizer for my office.  I think it is helping me.  As I've mentioned before the dry air is not my friend.  I can't stop the coughing but hopefully I can limit it somewhat.  My family and co-workers don't deserve to have to listen to me.

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy day one breath at a time!

Cold Air is Not My Friend!

My breathing has been ok since the dilation.  It's not perfect but it hasn't slowed me down in day to day activities.  I don't understand why but going up steps has always been the worst.  I am a little short of breath when I go upstairs to exercise on the treadmill.  But I can walk 30 minutes on the treadmill and not feel like that.  Of course I can't jog/run but walking is no problem.  Last weekend when it was nice out I took a two mile walk with Sarah and didn't have to slow down once.

I wish it was still nice out but it's not.  It's cold and windy with a big snow storm on the way here in central Illinois.  The cold air makes it much harder to breathe.  I have to make sure my scarf is around my face good.  I'm just so thankful I have a family that takes good care of me.  I can handle hurrying from car to the house but when I have a trunk full of groceries and it's this cold I don't think I could carry them in myself.  But I don't have to, my family always makes sure they're there to do all that work.

Our weather report shows we might get 8-10 inches of snow tomorrow and then on Monday the high will be 3 and the low -6!!!   I plan on staying in the house as much as I can.  I really can't wait for spring.

The dry air is also making my cough never ending.  I miss the hot days of summer when I would sit out under the tree and read a good book while I enjoyed the humidity and breathing easier.

I wish all my blog readers a very happy 2014!  I wish you all easy breathing,  a big dose of laughter and lots of love!

I'm Tired Of Coughing

The last few days I have been doing lots of coughing.  Okay, I always cough a lot but it's been noticeably worse the last few days.  My throat is so dry and scratchy.  I think it's the cold dry winter air.  I purchased a personal size humidifier for my desk at work.  At first I thought it was helping but now I'm not so sure.  The one I run at home during the night is a warm mist vaporizer.  I'm hoping this will pass, I'm tired of cough drops that don't help much.  Plus I'm tired of the sore throat it has caused.

So far my breathing is okay since the last dilation.  Not 100% but I'm able to keep walking on my treadmill so that's good.  Especially after all the Christmas snacks that I've been enjoying.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas.  I know I did.  My family spoiled me with lots of nice presents.

Not sure if I posted since the surgeons office phoned.  He wants to see me in March and I get to have a ct scan with contrast beforehand.

I wish you all a Very Happy New Year!